Kotor Summer CarnivalKotorski ljetnji internacionalni karneval

Kotor Summer Carnival is an annual late-July extravaganza of costumes and music held along Kotor’s waterfront and Old Town streets 1 2. Organized by local cultural group ‘Fešta,’ it features a flag-raising opening ceremony, majorette and folk dance performances, and lively evening concerts in the square. The highlight is the final carnival parade through the town, with around 20–25 local and regional carnival groups in bright masks, followed by street parties and fireworks 2 3. This modern carnival continues the spirit of Kotor’s historic masked festivities (with locals calling Kotor the ‘cradle of carnival’ for over 500 years 4.

The summer carnival is a newer extension of Kotor’s rich carnival tradition, designed to enliven the city’s peak tourist season. It is heavily influenced by the same Boka Kotorska culture and satirical spirit as the winter carnival, but takes advantage of warm summer evenings. Local dance ensembles and folk music keep the community identity strong, and invited international troupes add color. The result is a festival that highlights Kotor’s multi-ethnic heritage and Venetian-style pageantry adapted to an Adriatic seaside setting.